Shovel with auxiliary handle

Abstract

An improved, spring biased auxiliary handle for a shovel that is based on an elongated flat spring is presented. It will reduce back pain strain and injury, cardiovascular strain, fatigue and shoveling time, relative to the same task performed without the assistance of said device.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A digging implement, comprising:
 a main shaft having an upper end, a lower end, a top surface and a bottom surface, and a generally uniform cross section along a portion of its length; 
 a first grip connected to the upper end of the main shaft; 
 an end portion configured for digging, connected to the lower end of the main shaft; and 
 a second grip; and 
 an elongated bendable flat spring having a first end and a second end; and 
 said first end coupled to the lower end of said main shaft, proximal to the top surface of the main shaft; and 
 said second end connected to the second grip; and 
 said elongated bendable flat spring is bendable along the entire length from said main shaft to said second grip, and when compressed, both axially toward the main shaft top surface and longitudinally toward the main shaft lower end, momentarily freezes, both axially and longitudinally, a movement of said second grip relative to the main shaft, with the grips remaining parallel to each other, during digging or scraping; and 
 an angled joint coupling the said elongated bendable flat spring to the main shaft at a predetermined rest angle of approximately 45 degrees with said elongated bendable flat spring at neutral tension; and 
 said elongated bendable flat spring providing torsional flexion to bias the second grip away from the main shaft; and 
 said torsional flexion providing a force whose value is approximately that which is needed to suspend the second grip just short of touching the main shaft, when the main shaft is inverted directly over the second grip and parallel to the ground. 
 
     
     
       2. The implement of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated bendable flat spring forms an approximately straight, vertical line running from a shoulder through a corresponding upper arm, elbow, lower arm elbow and elongated bendable flat spring shaft when lifting a load vertically; and
 said main shaft and the user's other arm comprises an approximately 90-degree angle for providing maximal power during scraping or digging. 
 
     
     
       3. The implement of  claim 1 , wherein the main shaft remains substantially within a vertical plane throughout the entire cycle of digging or scraping, lifting, throwing and returning. 
     
     
       4. A handle configured to be used with a digging implement,
 the digging implement comprising:
 an elongated main shaft having an upper end and a lower end; and 
 a generally uniform cross section along a portion of its length; and 
 a top surface and a bottom surface; and 
 a primary grip engaged with said upper end; and 
 a digging blade engaged with said lower end; and 
 
 said handle comprising: 
 an elongated bendable flat spring having a first end and a second end; and 
 said first end of said elongated bendable flat spring engaged with a secondary grip; and 
 said second end of said elongated bendable flat spring fixedly engaged with said digging implement main shaft; and 
 said elongated bendable flat spring is bendable along the entire length from said main shaft to said second grip; and 
 said elongated bendable flat spring having an angled joint for coupling said bendable flat spring to said main shaft top surface and proximal to said lower end, at a predetermined rest angle of approximately 45 degrees with the spring at neutral tension; wherein 
 said elongated bendable flat spring when compressed, both axially toward the main shaft top surface and longitudinally toward the main shaft lower end, momentarily freezes, both axially and longitudinally, a movement of said secondary grip relative to the main shaft, with the primary and secondary grip remaining parallel to each other, during digging or scraping; and 
 said elongated bendable flat spring providing torsional flexion to bias the secondary grip away from the main shaft; and 
 said torsional flexion providing a force whose value is approximately that which is needed to suspend the secondary grip just short of touching the main shaft, when the main shaft is inverted directly over the secondary grip and parallel to the ground. 
 
     
     
       5. The handle of  claim 4 , wherein the main shaft remains substantially within a vertical plane throughout the entire cycle of digging or scraping, lifting, throwing and returning. 
     
     
       6. The handle of  claim 4 , wherein the handle allows the implement to be used such that the elongated bendable flat spring forms an approximately straight, vertical line running from a shoulder through a corresponding upper arm, elbow, lower arm, and secondary grip when lifting a load vertically; and
 said main shaft and the user's other arm comprises an approximately 90 degree angle for providing maximal power during scraping or digging. 
 
     
     
       7. A digging implement, comprising:
 a main shaft having an upper end, a lower end, a top surface and a bottom surface, and a generally uniform cross section along a portion of its length; 
 a first grip connected to the upper end of the main shaft; and 
 an end portion configured for digging, connected to the lower end of the main shaft; and 
 a second grip; and 
 an elongated bendable flat spring having a first end and a second end; and 
 said first end coupled to the lower end, proximal to the top surface, of the main shaft and the second end connected to the second grip; and 
 said elongated bendable flat spring bendable from said digging implement main shaft to said second grip; and 
 said elongated bendable flat spring when compressed, both axially toward the main shaft top surface and longitudinally toward the main shaft lower end, momentarily freezes, both axially and longitudinally, a movement of said second grip relative to the main shaft, with the grips remaining parallel to each other, during digging or scraping; and 
 an angled joint coupling the elongated bendable flat spring to the main shaft at a predetermined rest angle that falls within the range of approximately 30 to 50 degrees with a spring at neutral tension; and 
 said elongated bendable flat spring providing torsional flexion to bias the second grip away from the main shaft. 
 
     
     
       8. The implement of  claim 7  wherein the main shaft remains substantially within a vertical plane throughout the entire cycle of digging or scraping, lifting, throwing and returning.